Disabled Facilities Grants in Scotland: Funding a Bathroom Adaptation
Last updated 13 June 2026 · 6 min read
If you've been told you need a walk-in shower or wet room because a bath is no longer safe, you're probably wondering how much it costs — and whether the council will help pay for it. This guide explains exactly how funding works in Scotland, what to ask for, and what to expect.
1. What funding exists in Scotland
Every Scottish council runs a Scheme of Assistance for disabled adaptations. The scheme can include:
- Mandatory grants for essential work (level-access showers, ramps, stairlifts).
- Discretionary top-up grants or interest-free loans for the balance.
- Free practical help through Care & Repair Scotland for older or disabled homeowners.
- VAT relief on qualifying work — usually zero-rated by your installer.
Tenants in social housing apply through their landlord; private tenants and homeowners apply through their council's social work or housing department.
2. Who's eligible
Eligibility isn't about age — it's about need. The starting point is an assessment by an NHS or council occupational therapist (OT). The OT visits your home and decides whether an adaptation is necessary because of a long-term illness, disability, or mobility condition. If they say yes, the council is legally required to consider funding under the Scheme of Assistance.
The 100% grant rate normally applies if anyone in the household receives:
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
3. How to apply — step by step
- Call Social Work at your local council. Ask for an occupational therapy assessment under the Scheme of Assistance. There is usually no charge.
- Have the OT assessment. They'll look at how you use the bathroom and recommend a solution — typically a level-access shower or wet room.
- Get quotes. The council will normally ask for one or two written quotes from approved installers. We're happy to provide one in the format councils expect, including the OT's specifications.
- Council approves funding. You'll get a written offer showing the grant percentage and any contribution from you.
- Work goes ahead. A typical walk-in shower or wet room installation takes 5–10 working days. We handle all plumbing, electrics, and tiling.
4. The VAT side
HMRC zero-rates VAT on building work that adapts a bathroom for a chronically sick or disabled person in their own home. That includes the labour and the materials — so if you're paying privately as well as through a grant, the installer should not be adding 20% VAT on top. We complete the customer declaration with you at the quote stage so you don't have to chase HMRC paperwork yourself.
5. Useful contacts
- Care & Repair Scotland — free, impartial help for older and disabled homeowners.
- Your local council's Social Work team — for the OT assessment.
- Disability Information Scotland — practical benefits and entitlement advice.
- Independent Living Fund Scotland — for additional support packages.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Disabled Facilities Grant in Scotland?
No. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is an England and Wales scheme. In Scotland, equivalent funding is delivered by your local council under its Scheme of Assistance, set up by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Each council decides its own mix of grants, loans, advice and practical help.
Who is eligible for help with a bathroom adaptation in Scotland?
Anyone whose home is no longer suitable because of a disability or long-term condition can ask their council for an assessment. An occupational therapist (OT) decides whether the work is necessary. If the work is classed as essential — for example a level-access shower because a bath is unsafe — most councils offer a grant of at least 80%, and 100% for households on qualifying benefits.
How much will the council pay towards a walk-in shower or wet room?
Standard practice across Scottish councils is an 80% mandatory grant for essential adaptations, rising to 100% if you receive a qualifying means-tested benefit (such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support or income-based ESA/JSA). The remaining 20% can sometimes be covered by a discretionary top-up or a Care & Repair loan.
Do I have to pay VAT on a disabled bathroom adaptation?
Often no. HMRC allows zero-rating of VAT on building work that adapts a bathroom for a chronically sick or disabled person in their own home — including the supply and fitting of a walk-in shower or wet room. We handle the VAT declaration paperwork for you at the quote stage.
How do I start the application?
Contact the Social Work department at your local council and ask for an occupational therapy assessment under the Scheme of Assistance. Once the OT confirms the work is needed, the council's housing or Care & Repair team handles the funding side. We're happy to provide quotes and technical specifications that match what the council asks for.
Do you have to pay the grant back?
Scheme of Assistance grants for essential adaptations are not usually repayable. Some councils place a standard security on the property for larger discretionary awards — your council's housing team will explain any conditions in writing before work starts.
Need a quote for your council application?
We work with households across Central Scotland and provide written quotes in the format councils require — free, no obligation.
This guide is for general information and reflects how Scottish councils commonly operate the Scheme of Assistance. Specific eligibility, percentages and conditions vary by local authority — always confirm with your council before committing to work.